France has announced a new national AI strategy, including government funding worth nearly €1.5 billion ($1.85 billion). But the country’s president, Emmanuel Macron, is worried about the damage this technology could do if not properly guided. In an interview with Wired, he said there was even a risk AI could “jeopardize democracy.” Macron is worried about unaccountable “black box” algorithms being introduced into society, making decisions formerly entrusted to humans. He gave the example of an algorithm used to sort students into universities, and said that if its workings were…
Read MoreDay: April 2, 2018
Sokoto intensify efforts in routine polio immunization
The Sokoto State government said it has increased access to immunization from 2.5% in 2014 to 25% in 2018. State governor Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal disclosed this during a review meeting on the progress of routine immunization in Sokoto. He indicated that the recent Lot Quality Assurance Survey (LQAS) by the National Bureau of Statistics and partners have clearly outlined the progress made in that direction. “More still needs to be done and we will not relent on our efforts. Within this period under review, Sokoto has come tops on…
Read MoreEconomist: Nigeria’s economy will not witness meaningful growth in Q2
An economist, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, on Monday advised Nigerians not to expect much from the nation’s economy in the second quarter following continue delayed in the passage of 2018 budget. Tella, a Professor of Economics from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye in Ogun, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. According to him, the economy will not witness meaningful growth unless the budget is passed on time to complement the monetary policy to be introduced by the newly inaugurated Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). “It…
Read MoreArsene Wenger: Easter to blame for empty Emirates Stadium
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Easter and the team’s poor league campaign was to blame for the many empty seats at the Emirates on Sunday, but insists the stay-away fans will be back for Thursday’s Europa League quarterfinal against CSKA Moscow. At least one third of the seats were empty during the 3-0 win over Stoke, even though Arsenal still claimed that more than 59,000 tickets were sold for the game. It is the third Premier League home game in a row where thousands of Gunners fans have stayed away,…
Read MoreSierra Leone result delayed by 48 hours
The final result of the Sierra Leone presidential run-off election will not be known until Wednesday, according to Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the UN envoy in West Africa. Chambas told the BBC correspondent that the result will be announced “within the next 48 hours”. The stalemate between the two political parties as to which system of tallying to use has been resolved, Chambas said. “It will be a blend of the existing system and the Excel spreadsheet. Tallying which was halted is to resume”, he said. The two candidates, Samura Kamara…
Read MoreWinnie Madikizela-Mandela passes on at 81
Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela-Mandela‚ a stalwart in the fight against apartheid‚ has died at the age of 81. Her PA‚ Zodwa Zwane‚ confirmed the struggle veteran’s death on Monday afternoon. She said the family would issue a statement later in the day. Born in Bizana in the Eastern Cape in 1936‚ she moved to Johannesburg to study social work after matriculating. She met lawyer and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in 1957 and they were married a year later. They had two children together. However‚ her marriage life with Mandela was short-lived‚…
Read More2019: Nwankwo Kanu to run for president
Nigerian football legend Nwankwo Kanu has been inspired by Liberian icon George Weah’s feat. The former Arsenal FC and Inter Milan forward has announced he will run for President of Nigeria in 2019. Weah, who had a very successful football career in Europe, was elected President of Liberia in the 2017 election, defeating the incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai, and sworn in on 22 January 2018. “My presence here today is about the future of our country and the happiness of our people,” Kanu said on Goal. “The last 18…
Read More